FOR THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 15, 2016

DEAR JERRY: In the mid-'50s, I would awaken to my clock radio playing "Drive In" the instrumental theme used by the morning disc jockey in Annapolis, Md.

I have looked but never could find a copy of this song.

Later I learned there was a companion song titled "Drive Out," which I have never heard.

Any idea how I can obtain these two records?
—M. Ross, Pompano Beach, Fla.

DEAR M.: Good news! You need just one 45 rpm to have both tunes.

"Drive In" and "Drive Out" are back-to-back on the same single (Chart 637), an early 1957 release by Sonny Thompson and his band.

Around the same time (1956-'57) Chart Records issued three other singles by Sonny Thompson with two-part titles: "Slow Rock (Parts 1 & 2)" (Chart 612); "Juke Joint (Parts 1 & 2)" (Chart 633); and "Candy (Parts 1 & 2)" (Chart 642).

This pattern gave fans cause to think that "Drive Out" was merely the second half of one lengthy (4:40) track.

If that were the case, the labels would surely indicate "Drive In (Parts 1 & 2)."

Moreover, "Drive In" (session C-176) was recorded before "Juke Joint" (C-189 & 189A). The "Drive Out" session (C-196) followed "Juke Joint."

More good news, if you are so driven. There are at least seven copies of Chart 637 on eBay this week, and all under $20.

DEAR JERRY: From one of your past columns, I know that not until 1952 did Great Britain have their own record chart, the New Musical Express (NME).

And that it was 12 years after we had "The Billboard" weekly.

Now that there are weekly "Official Charts" for British vinyl records, it seems they may have scooped us, unless there is a chart for vinyl in U.S.

But I have yet to find one.

Also, how are the U.S. recording artists faring lately in the UK?
—Stanley Kirkendall, Hammond, Ind.

DEAR STANLEY: Don't fret, we are in no danger of being scooped, at least not in this regard.

About three years ago, as a service of Cashbox Magazine and CIMS (Coalition of Independent Music Stores), an online U.S. vinyl sales chart began.

Here is that link.

Exactly 10 months ago, April 12, 2015, the Official Vinyl Albums Top 40 Chart and the Official Vinyl Singles Top 40 Chart both made their UK debut.

Unlike the NME singles chart of November 22, 1952, when all the songs in the Top 10 were by American musicians, the 21st century UK charts are understandably dominated by British and other European artists, and that's true for vinyl and digital sales.

Nevertheless, 25 of last year's Top 100 albums in the UK are by artists born in the States.

A dozen of those albums reached No. 1, but only two did well enough to make the Top 10 for 2015.

Here are the "Official End of the Year" winners, with the peak chart position for each:

4. "If I Can Dream" Elvis Presley with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (No. 1)
6. "1989" Taylor Swift (No. 1)
17. "Title" Meghan Trainor (No. 1)
27. "The Ultimate Collection" Paul Simon (No. 1)
28. "American Beauty/American Psycho" Fall Out Boy (No. 2)
37. "Liquid Spirit" Gregory Porter (No. 9)
46. "The Definitive Collection" Lionel Richie & the Commodores (No. 1)
47. "V" Maroon 5 (No. 4)
48. "Smoke & Mirrors" Imagine Dragons (No. 1)
52. "The Day Is My Enemy" Prodigy (No. 1)
54. "Compton" Dr. Dre (No. 1)
65. "Stages" Josh Groban (No. 1)
68. "Number Ones" Michael Jackson (No. 1)
70. "The Desired Effect" Brandon Flowers (No. 1)
72. "Greatest Hits" Foo Fighters (No. 4)
74. "Direct Hits" Killers (No. 6)
78. "Rebel Heart" Madonna (No. 2)
87. "Night Visions" Imagine Dragons (No. 2)
88. "Curtain Call - The Hits" Eminem (No. 1)
89. "My Everything" Ariana Grande (No. 3)
90. "Nightbird" Eva Cassidy (No. 17)
91. "All-Time Greatest Hits" Neil Diamond (No. 25)
92. "The Ultimate Collection" Whitney Houston (No. 3)
98. "Greatest Hits" Bon Jovi (No. 2)
100. "Honeymoon" Lana Del Rey (No. 2)

IZ ZAT SO? Of the 25 albums listed above, only these six are still among the current (Feb. 5, 2016) Official Chart Company Top 100:

14. "If I Can Dream" Elvis Presley with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
21. "1989" Taylor Swift
32. "The Ultimate Collection" Whitney Houston
55. "Number Ones" Michael Jackson
70. "Curtain Call - The Hits" Eminem
88. "American Beauty/American Psycho" Fall Out Boy